Debates of June 13th, 2001

Canadian Wheat Board

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows, since he is from Alberta, that this is a very complex issue, a complex problem. The reason we have had no results in the last little while is that the parties have been seriously negotiating.

We believe they are close to an agreement on the contracting provisions. Once that occurs I think the hon. member will be satisfied that the changes we brought in last year in Bill C-34 will indeed work.

National Gallery Of Canada

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, a strike by members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada employed by the National Gallery of Canada has gone on for too long. This morning, gallery management confirmed that it would be going ahead with the Gustav Klimt exhibit.

However, many visitors will choose, as will I, not to cross the picket line. If this situation drags on, everyone will lose: gallery employees and art lovers.

If this dispute is to be resolved, the parties must talk to each other, which they do not seem to be doing right now.

What does the minister intend to do in the coming days to get the parties back to the bargaining table?

[Judi Longfield, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Labour]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his expressions of concern. I know he understands that a collective agreement works well when it is negotiated.

The Minister of Labour has appointed two negotiators to work with the parties. I urge both parties to take advantage of the resources available to them.

If there is a genuine will to resolve this it can be done today if they use the resources available. I urge them to get back to the table.

Health

[Judy Wasylycia-Leis, NDP, Winnipeg North Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, mercury in fish, the threat of mad cow disease and concerns about genetically engineered foods are all serious issues for Canadians that have not been effectively addressed by the government.

Now we have carbadox, a growth hormone given to pigs which is a cancer causing agent. Even the agriculture minister has written to the health minister in support of a ban.

As we enter the summer season and Canadians fire up the barbecues, will the Minister of Health give assurances to everyone that all pork products are safe, and will he ensure that carbadox is taken off the market immediately?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the member that Health Canada is looking very carefully at the letter received from the minister of agriculture. Scientists are examining the evidence and in this, as in all other matters, Health Canada will act in the public interest to protect the health of Canadians.

Presence In Gallery

[The Deputy Speaker]

I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of His Excellency Jozef Stank, Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

Government Response To Petitions

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the standing orders I am pleased to submit, in both official languages, the government's response to five petitions.

Committees Of The House

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 27th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding its order of reference of Tuesday, April 24, 2001, in relation to Bill S-10, an act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Poet Laureate).

The committee has considered Bill S-10 and reports the bill with amendment.

Taxpayers' Bill Of Rights

[Joe Peschisolido, Canadian Alliance, Richmond, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-390, an act to confirm the rights of taxpayers and establish the Office for Taxpayer Protection.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce this taxpayer bill of rights in the House today. The bill creates an office for taxpayer protection, headed by a chief advocate who will ensure fairness and protection of the rights of taxpayers.

The bill would protect the taxpaying public from abuses of the Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency. Ensuring this protection in law would make our tax collection system fair for all Canadians.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Committees Of The House

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, following exhaustive consultations, I have three motions to present.

I move that the 26th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to)

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

moved:

That the Standing Committee on Finance be authorized to travel from place to place within Canada during its proceedings pursuant to Standing Order 83(1) and that the necessary staff accompany the committee.

(Motion agreed to)

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, regarding what is known as the 100 signature rule, I move that the 27th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier, be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to)

Petitions

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition. To paraphrase, the petition argues that the VIA Rail Atlantic train linking Halifax and Montreal through southwestern New Brunswick was successful prior to its discontinuance in 1994.

Given the increasing scarcity and price of fossil fuels, along with concerns over health related to air quality and global warming, and that air and private auto options for travel are becoming less attractive, the undersigned citizens of southwestern New Brunswick request that the House of Commons ask Transport Canada and federal crown corporation VIA Rail to restore passenger train service linking Saint John and Fredericton westward through Sherbrooke to Montreal and eastward through Montreal to Halifax.

[Bob Mills, Canadian Alliance, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the petitioners from Alberta and B.C. who have signed this petition request that parliament process the landed immigrant status for Cris Pusztay's wife and son so that they will be permitted to return to Canada without delay.

[Art Hanger, Canadian Alliance, Calgary Northeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition with over 70 signatures reflecting the concern of citizens over the protection of children from violent sexual predators. The Carrie's guardian angel initiative is what attracted the petitioners to sign.

To ensure the protection of children from sexual predators they ask that parliament pass legislation which would incarcerate indefinitely those offenders designated as dangerous sexual child predators and child rapists who have committed more than one violent offence against a child or children.

They ask that those who attack children receive a sentence of a minimum of 20 years to life with no chance of parole where aggravating factors are involved such as protracted forcible confinement, repeated assaults or other acts of degradation, several offenders acting together, multiple victims and/or the use of weapons to further sexual aims.

[Rick Laliberte, Liberal, Churchill River, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition from petitioners all across the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta. They bring attention to the disparity of rural route mail carriers.

[Rose-Marie Ur, Liberal, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I am honoured to present a petition on behalf of citizens of Burlington and Hamilton.

They call upon parliament to protect the health of seniors and children and save our environment by banning the disputed gas additive MMT, as it creates smog and enhances global warming.

[Julian Reed, Liberal, Halton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present a petition from 75 citizens of the great riding of Halton.

The undersigned residents of Canada call upon parliament to enact an immediate moratorium on the cosmetic use of chemical pesticides until such time as their use has been scientifically proven to be safe and the long term consequences of their application are known.

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present two more petitions from citizens of the Peterborough area who would like to see VIA service re-established between Peterborough and Toronto.

These citizens believe that this would be good for the environment. It would reduce accidents and gridlock on the highways. It would increase recognition of Peterborough as a business, tourism and educational centre.

This petition has already been productive. There have been two meetings with the Minister of Transport and an announcement by the minister, which has given the community great hope. I have to say we are on the right track with this one.

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, my second petition is from citizens of Peterborough and other areas who support kidney research toward the development of a bioartificial kidney. The bioartificial kidney is an experimental implant which will help all those with kidney disease.

The petition was developed by Ken Sharp. It has been signed by tens of thousands of people. It has raised national awareness. It has raised awareness in the medical profession and it resulted in a meeting between U.S. and Canadian kidney researchers.

The petitioners urge the Government of Canada to support research toward the bioartificial kidney.

[Jay Hill, Canadian Alliance, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition on behalf of dozens of my constituents, largely from Prince George and Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.

They are concerned about health care workers and students in various health care disciplines in Canada who have been denied training, employment, continued employment and advancement in their careers due to what they feel is unjust discrimination based on the dictates of their conscience.

They urge the Government of Canada to enact legislation to explicitly recognize the freedom of conscience of health care workers and to prohibit this type of coercion.

Questions Passed As Orders For Returns

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, if Question No. 32 could be made an order for return, the return would be tabled immediately.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed. .[Text]

Question No. 32—